THE JESSAMINE. 245 



but they were full of joy ; and I learnt the value 

 of the pain that kept ine awake to recall this mer- 

 cy to mind, and to meditate on the great love of 

 iny Saviour.' 



While she said this, her tears again stole forth ; 

 but iier countenance wore an aspect so heavenly, 

 that I soon betook myself to the Jessamine walk, 

 to wonder why I had never thanked God for not 

 allowinfT me to be born amons; Socinians. 



A whole year, I think, this blessed woman lin- 

 gered in tortures indescribable ; and latterly she 

 would not adnjit into her room any but those who 

 •were obliged to enter it; so great was the delicacy 

 of her feelings for others. She, however, used to 

 speak from her bed to those in an adjoining apart- 

 ment, the door being placed ajar, and very sweet 

 was her conversation. One day, after a w^eek of 

 dreadful agony, she asked her maid to lift her from 

 her bed, to try if a change of position would bring 

 any relief; she was accordingly, seated on a low 

 chair ; and, laying her head on the girl's shoulder, 

 in a very soft, but animated voice, she murmured, 



*Mary Heaven !' and instantly departed thither. 



I placed some delicate Jessamine flowers in her 

 coffin : and most delicious it was to gaze upon her 

 placid countenance, with a vivid recollection of her 

 bitter sufferings, and an equally vivid assurance of 

 her present bliss. Never did the beautiful hymn, 

 commencing, 'Ah, lovely appearance of death/ 

 21* 



